First Coast Opera Opens New Year with Puccini’s Opera

Tosca on stage Jan. 22-23 in Flagler College Auditorium

Tosca, an Italian opera, will be on stage Jan 22-23 in Flagler College Auditorium, 14 Granada St., downtown St. Augustine.

First Coast Opera brings Puccini’s beloved opera, Tosca, to St. Augustine. There will be an evening performance at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22, and a matinee at 2 p.m. Jan. 23 in Flagler College Auditorium, 14 Granada St., downtown St. Augustine.

One of the most dramatic and thrilling operas ever written, Tosca takes place in June 1800, just as word of Napoleon’s defeat of the Austrian army is reaching Rome. The story centers on the evil doings of Rome’s chief of police, Scarpia, his lust for the beautiful opera singer, Tosca, and his execution of her lover, the painter Cavaradossi.

This special production features an international cast of performers, including Russian soprano, Larissa Yudina, Italian tenors, Andrea Elena and Davide LaVerde, and Italian baritone, Lorenzo Battagion.Other cast members include Zachary Wheeler, Samuel Reynolds, Chase DeCarlo, Massimiliano Placente, a full chorus, and musicians.

The opera will be sung in the original Italian, with English supertitles.Advance tickets are $25; and $30 at the door. Students with ID will be able to purchase tickets at the door for $15. There will be open seating for both performances.

Tickets are available at all Bank of America branches in St. Augustine; and may be purchased online at First Coast Opera’s website, www.firstcoastopera.com, or by calling (904) 417-5555.

First Coast Opera is in its eleventh season of providing Northeast Florida with professional performances of opera, operetta, cabarets and more. The company was founded by Barbara Norris and Anthony Fast and is located in the historic city of St. Augustine. Past productions have included Threepenny Opera, La Bohème, Madama Butterfly, The Magic Flute, The Pirates Of Penzance, Amahl and the Night Visitors, HMS Pinafore, Babes in Toyland, The Mikado and many concerts and cabarets. First Coast Opera is a non-profit corporation and is partially funded by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council.